On Wednesday, Lars Eller held his day with the Stanley Cup in his native Denmark. This was the first time in history that the Cup had been hosted in the country, with Eller being the first Danish player to win it.
Eller’s home town of Rødovre was eagerly awaiting his arrival, and turned out in numbers for a glimpse at the Cup. Over the course of the day, Eller took it around town while hosting a parade and sharing a moment at the rink where his childhood team, the Rødovre Mighty Bulls, play.
Keeper of the Cup, Philip Pritchard, handed the Cup over on the first part of its journey across Rødovre. “It’s good to see you again,” Eller said, all smiles, as he held it above his head. “I missed you.”
The #StanleyCup in Denmark for the first time in history #ALLCAPS @lellerofficial pic.twitter.com/X70yFPyJcY
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 8, 2018
.@Capitals Lars Eller @lellerofficial, renowned for his tremendous fitness, texts this to me now from his home in Denmark. Here Lars happily demonstrates the 34.5-pound / 15.6-kg overhead press, the first time he's done this in off-season training pic.twitter.com/yb3Cifpiv6
— Dave Stubbs (@Dave_Stubbs) August 8, 2018
Once Eller was finished with his more private moment, he walked onto a stage in front of thousands of fans who had turned out to catch a glimpse of both Eller and the Stanley Cup. The high turn out should come as no surprise. Rødovre locals held a viewing party for Game Five of the Stanley Cup Final at a movie theatre, as organized by Eller’s aunt.
”Tillykke, Lars”! Hundratals fans firar Lars Eller i Rødovre. #nhlsv #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/OC4dVm5ubN
— NHL Sverige (@NHLsv) August 8, 2018
Congrats @lellerofficial Thanks for you bringing the @StanleyCup to Denmark 🇩🇰 Congrats to the @Capitals too. #StanleyCup #Rødovre #Denmark #Capitals #Washington #Tillykke #LarsEller 🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰🇩🇰 pic.twitter.com/3lIgG68UOT
— Michael L (@FlindtLichs) August 8, 2018
Native son @lellerofficial #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/sEGXfGvfb6
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 8, 2018
Lars Eller brings the #StanleyCup home. Denmark welcomes the @Capitals centreman to his hometown of Radovre. @NHL @HockeyHallFame pic.twitter.com/N1W6bnpFHR
— Philip Pritchard (@keeperofthecup) August 8, 2018
After displaying the Stanley Cup from a stage to the crowd, Eller moved on to his childhood rink, with a parade.
Lars Eller with the #stanleycup in Rødovre where 2000-3000 people gathered to celebrate him and get a glimpse of the Lord Stanley. #ALLCAPS #caps @Capitals #nhl #isdk pic.twitter.com/NqndE6aTON
— Brian Poulsen (@bpoulsendk) August 8, 2018
That’s how you celebrate. Lars Eller tager den i en åben Buick fra Rådhuset i Rødovre til Skøjte Arenaen. En stolt søn er hjemme #isdk pic.twitter.com/s85xKWQ5cF
— Lars Fink (@finktv2sporten) August 8, 2018
Parade to old youth rink #ALLCAPS #larseller #stanleycupindenmark pic.twitter.com/pOZnYVdewD
— Nicolai Bentsen (@NicolaiBentsen1) August 8, 2018
Lars Eller brought @StanleyCup to his hometown Rødovre and was celebrated by 2000-3000 fans! @Capitals #ALLCAPS #nhl pic.twitter.com/U8sjnmRfXO
— Brian Poulsen (@bpoulsendk) August 8, 2018
Igen i dag har ishockey samlet Rødovre. Vi er mega stolte af Lars Eller pic.twitter.com/MzCifTF5ST
— Lars Schmidt (@SchmidtLars) August 8, 2018
The parade came to an end when they reached Rødovre Skøjte Arena. There, Eller took photographs on the ice, as well as with a youth team, and other fans who had turned out for the event.
The hometown rink. Classic. @lellerofficial #ALLCAPS #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/jYXXYQGtKK
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) August 8, 2018
To round out his day, Eller visited his old elementary school and made an appearance on Danish television. During his segment, Eller ate rødgrød med fløde, a traditional dessert, like a red porridge, with summer berries and cream.